COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT SPC

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

HEADED ITEM NO. 6

HEADED ITEM: G. Lee

6. Biodiversity Plan update.

REPLY:

County Biodiversity Action Plan

Context

The production and implementation of a South Dublin County Biodiversity Action Plan is an objective of the following South Dublin County plans and policy actions:

At a national and international level, obligations to adhere to best biodiversity principles and implement actions for biodiversity also exist under:

A vision for Ireland’s biodiversity is articulated in the Irish Government’s second National Biodiversity Plan (2011): “That biodiversity and ecosystems in Ireland are conserved and restored, delivering benefits essential for all sectors of society and that Ireland contributes to efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems in the EU and globally.”

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the term used to describe biological diversity – in other words, the variety of living organisms around us.  This includes the full range of individual plants animals, birds, fungi, bacteria, insects, invertebrates, viruses etc.  It also refers to the range of different habitats types and ecosystems on the planet and how they interact and are independent on one another. 

It also refers to the range and variety of the planet’s genetic resource: a critical factor in determining our ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions such as climate change.

Why is it important?

The protection of biodiversity is central to our own continued existence as a species, as biodiversity is the foundation for all of the services we require to survive e.g. agriculture (food crops, pollination activities, nutrient recycling), fisheries (marine and inland), water (biological filtering and cleansing activities), and health (medicines derived from natural sources). 

It also provides raw materials for industry (timber, gums and latex).  Our natural landscapes and habitats are the basis of much of our economically important recreational and tourist industries.  A diversity of habitats and landscapes provides protection from natural disasters by offering flood mitigation measures, climate regulation functions, and also safeguards soil from erosion.  Habitats such as forestry and peatlands can also offer significant potential for carbon storage.

At a cultural and spiritual level, a diversity of functioning habitats and pleasing landscapes contributes enormously to psychological health and well-being.

In economic terms, it is estimated that in Ireland, biodiversity contributes at least €2.6 billion each year to the Irish economy1 through the goods and services it provides to society.  It is therefore a vital national asset and as such, requires investment and management at a high level. 

 

Biodiversity in South Dublin County

South Dublin County offers a range of natural and semi-natural habitats like rivers, streams, woodland, species-rich grasslands, hedgerows, upland heath, bogland, farmland, and our public parks.  Some of these habitats are protected within designated sites such the two Special Areas of Conservation in the Dublin Mountains (Glenasmole Valley and the Wicklow Mountains) and in the five proposed Natural Heritage Areas of the Liffey River Valley, the Grand Canal, the Dodder River Valley, Slade of Saggart and Crooksling Glen, and Lugmore Glen. 

A range of protected animal, bird, and plant species also occur both within and outside of these designated areas throughout the County such as otters, badgers, bats, kingfisher, Yellow Archangel and wild orchid species.

The identification, assessment and management of this biodiversity resource for the benefit of both wildlife and for ourselves, is the central objective of the County Biodiversity Action Plan. 

Why prepare a County Biodiversity Action Plan?

The Irish Government’s overarching target in the National Biodiversity Plan, based on its 102 listed actions, is: “that biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystems are reduced by 2016 and progress is made towards substantial recovery by 2020.” 

Towards achieving this, Action 1.7 of the National Biodiversity Plan (2011) actions each Local Authority to: publish a Local Biodiversity Action Plan or review existing plans.  The production of the first South Dublin County Biodiversity Action Plan is therefore in accordance with the National Biodiversity Plan and SDCC’s own Plans and Policies.

The Plan is an opportunity to identify and address the County’s biodiversity issues and needs, integrating it into the decision making process at a local level but within a regional and national framework.  It is a partnership for biodiversity action between Local Authorities and communities, offering a broad context within which the efforts and initiatives of local groups and state agencies can operate.  It is not to be seen as an isolated document but rather it works within the framework of other plans and objectives, at a local, national, and an international level. 

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1The Economic and Social Aspects of Biodiversity: Benefits and Costs of Biodiversity in Ireland.  

    Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 2008

 

How will it work?

The South Dublin County Biodiversity Action Plan will be a five-year programme, comprising of a list of agreed achievable targets and actions which will be undertaken to achieve strategic aims and objectives for biodiversity in South Dublin County. 

It will work to inform the decision-making process with regard to the natural heritage and biodiversity policies of the Corporate Plan, County Development Plan, Local Area Plans, and the County Heritage Plan.  In this way, it will contribute to achieving national and international obligation with regard to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2016. 

Preparing the Plan

To initiate the process, a County Biodiversity Forum will be established which will engage with and assist the Heritage Officer in the preparation and implementation of the Plan.  Forum members will be sought from a range of sources including elected members, Council staff, local biodiversity interest groups and environmental organisations, tourism, and relevant government departments and agencies (National Parks and Wildlife Service, Waterways Ireland, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, Coillte).  It is expected that the Forum will number no more than 10 members.  

A public consultation process will be undertaken which will commence in early summer and will extend until September.  Consultation will include evening public meetings while written submissions on biodiversity issues will also be invited.  The County Biodiversity Forum will assist in collating submissions and agreeing final actions.  A first draft of the County Biodiversity Action Plan is expected by the end of 2012.

Next Steps

This report is being presented to the Environment SPC, the Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Education and Libraries SPC, the Economic Development and Planning SPC, and the

Arts, Sports, Recreation, Community and Parks SPC.  It will also be presented to the Local Area Committees and a progress report on the initiation of the preparation of the County Biodiversity Action Plan will be brought to the next Organisation, Procedure and Finance Committee.